Means for handling pipe protectors



April 7, 1959 B. G. PRICE 2,880,499

MEANS FOR HANDLING PIPE PROTECTORS Fired NOV. 14, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4a 32 r a 3,9 36 10 Y1 1 O r l i 0 I O O I Ber/y 6/6/70 Pr/ce INVENTOR.

April 7, 1959 B. G. PRICE 2,880,499

MEANS FOR HANDLING PIPE PROTECTORS Filed Nov. 14, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fierry 6/6/7/7 Pr/(e INVENTOR.

"April 7, 1959 B. G. PRICE 2,880,499

- MEANS FOR HANDLING PIPE PROTECTORS Filed Nov. 14, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 fierry 6/6/70 P/vce INVENTOR MGM United States Patent 2,880,499 Patented Apr. 7, 1959 2,880,499 MEANS FOR HANDLING PIPE PROTECTORS Berry Glenn Price, Houston, Tex., assignor to Tuboscope Company, a corporation of Delaware Application November 14, 1955, Serial No. 546,315

3 Claims. (Cl. 29-236) This invention relates to improved means for transferring elastic protector collars from transfer sleeves to pipe.

In the well drilling industry it is now common practice to install thick elastic annular collars, known as drill pipe protectors, on the outside of drill pipe to protect the pipe from undue wear which would otherwise result from abrasive contact with the bore hole. Usually, one or more protectors is placed on each length of pipe before it is made up into the drill string.

Among the problems incident to such installation, is that of stretching such a protector over the coupling or upset at the end of a length of pipe, and moving it along the pipe to the desired position. This has been done by first stretching the protector over a transfer sleeve, a rigid cylinder of large enough internal diameter to pass over the end of the length of pipe, then moving the sleeve to the desired position and pushing the protector off of the sleeve. Such a procedure is illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, and this invention is an improvement to apparatus for performing this procedure.

A protector grips the transfer sleeve with such force, that a quite substantial force is required to get it started off the transfer sleeve. However, when the protector gets to a position such as that illustrated in Figure 8, where only one end thereof is still stretched over the sleeve, the protector tends to kick the sleeve backward with great force as the protector contracts around the pipe, expelling the sleeve from within the protector.

Accordingly, What ever force applying means is used to initiate the movement of the protector from the sleeve should be highly portable and quickly removable from the sleeve. Force applying means have been built for this operation, but invariably they have suffered serious disadvantages.

For example, some of them push against only one side of the protector, thus tending to tear it or warp it out of its normal configuration as it is moved off the sleeve. Such tools thereby tend to damage protectors, particularly those which are not new and completely sound when applied. Other apparatus is unduly heavy or bulky for convenient handling, or is permanently secured to the sleeve so that when a number of protectors are applied to a number of sleeves preparatory to an operation, a number of the force applying means are tied up. The expense of such equipment therefore precludes the use of a large number of sleeves in mass applications of protectors, making it necessary to stretch sleeves and apply them to pipe one at a time, in consecutive sequence. This invention combines the most desirable features into a light portable unit that pushes against the entire circumference of the protector, that is light and easily portable, and that admits to instantaneous and even automatic separation of the force applying means from the sleeve.

An object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus for removing elastic protector collars from transfer sleeves to pipe, to provide light and easily portable apparatus, to provide for easy and automatic separation of the force applying means from the sleeve, and simultaneously to provide for circumferential pushing contact with the protector. Other objects are apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a pictorial representation of the force applying apparatus which is a part of this invention.

Figure 2 is a pictorial representation of a preferred form of transfer sleeve with ring pushing element as contemplated by this invention.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of arubber protector before being stretched onto either transfer sleeve or pipe.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the apparatus including both force applying means and sleeve with protector thereon,

as it appears just prior to activation of the force apply-- ing means.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of' Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an elevational view, partially in section, of' a transfer sleeve with protector thereon position on pipe,

Figure 7 adds to the representation of Figure 5, the force applying means in elevation as positioned for its operation.

Figure 8 illustrates the apparatus nearing the comple-- tion of the protector transfer stroke.

Figure 9 illustrates the completion of the transfer, with the force applying means removed and the sleeve kicking, backward away from the protector.

The invention may be most easily understood by ref-- erence to the drawings. lustrated in Figure 2, and again in Figures 6 through 9.. At one end of the sleeve 10, there is an annular abutment: 11. Surrounding the sleeve 10 there is a ring 12 whichis slidable thereon. Conveniently, the ring 12 may have a lip 13 adjacent the sleeve 10 to assist in keeping the: ring aligned in a plane substantially perpendicular to the:

axis of the sleeve 10. The ring 12 fits sufliciently closely to the sleeve 10 so that the ring 12 will not slide over the abutment 11.

Means may be provided for preventing the ring 12 from! sliding off the end of the sleeve which is at the right in: Figures 2 and 6 through 9. While a chain secured to the sleeve 10 and the ring 12 might be used, the pre ferred embodiment employs a second abutment 15 at the end of the sleeve of suificiently small size as to offer no substantial hindrance to the movement of an elastic protector thereover. The second abutment 15 may be annular completely around the sleeve, as illustrated, or it may be segmented into one or two or three short segments positioned circumferentially around the sleeve 10.

It is preferred, as illustrated in Figure 4, that the back side of the ring 12 have an annular V groove 16 cut therein for co-operation with the ends of the piston rods as hereinafter described, although such a groove is not necessary.

The sleeve 10 is of such size that it may be passed over the end of and surround the drill pipe 17 as illustrated in Figures 6 through 9. A rubber protector 14, before stretching, is illustrated in Figure 3, and is shown after being stretched by any conventional means onto the sleeve 10, in Figures 4 and 6 and other figures.

Refer now to the assembly of Figure 1, which may in general terms be referred to as the force applying assembly. The chassis of this assembly may be defined as a plate 18 and a yoke 19 which are secured together. The yoke 19 is adapted to fit about half way around the sleeve 10, and the make firm engagement with the abutment 11. Accordingly the yoke 19 may be precluded from sliding off over the end of the sleeve 10, while being easily withdrawn from engagement with the sleeve 10 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve 10.

Further, if the sleeve 10 is kicked to the left by the First observe the sleeve 10, il-

3 protector as the protector leaves the sleeve, the abutment 11 and the yoke 19 automatically part from each other, facilitating easy removal of the force applying assembly from the sleeve 10.

One end of the plate 18 extends backward from the yoke to form a handle 20 for convenient handling of the assembly.

Secured at each end of the yoke 19, there is a hydraulic cylinder 21 and 22. When the yoke 19 is astraddle the sleeve 10, the two hydraulic cylinders 21 and 22 are preferably on substantially diametrically opposlte sides of the sleeve and their axes are aligned parallel with the axis of the sleeve 10. Within each cylinder 21 and 22 is a piston 23 which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure diiferentials thereacross. Connected to each piston 23, there is a piston rod 24 which extends out the end of the cylinders 21 and 22.

As illustrated in Figures 4, 7 and 8, when the yoke 19 is positioned around the sleeve 10, then the piston rods 24 are aligned to engage the groove 16 in the ring 12 and to be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the ring 12, i.e., substantially parallel to the axis of the sleeve 10. Accordingly, the cylinder-piston assembly, when activated by hydraulic fluid under pressure, constitutes a force applying means for urging the ring 12 against the protector 14. Note also that the outside ends of the piston rods 24 may be somewhat pointed, to co operate with the annular V groove 16 in the ring 12.

Means are provided for applying hydraulic fluids under pressure to the cylinders 21 and 22. Conveniently, there may be a four port valve 30 mounted on top of the plate 18. The preferred valve has an inlet 31 which is connectable by operation of the valve handle 32, to either of two ports 33 or 34. The valve also has an ultimate discharge port 35. The port 33 is connected by a hose 38 which runs along the top of the handle 20, to a T connection 39, and through this T connection and hoses 40 and 41, to the first end of each of the two cylinders 21 and 22. The port 34 is similarly connected through a T connection and hoses 43 and 44 to the second ends of the two cylinders 21 and 22. The discharge port 35 may be open to discharge upon the ground, but is preferably connected back to the hydraulic fluid reservoir from which the fluid is originally derived.

The valve handle 32 may have three positions, open, neutral and close. In the open position, the inlet 31 is connected to the first outlet 33, and the second port 34 is connected to the discharge port 35, whereby fluid may flow through the valve and hoses 38, 40 and 41 to the first end of the cylinders 21 and 22, thereby driving the pistons 23 toward the protectors. Any fluid which is in the portion of the cylinders 21 and 22 surrounding the piston rods is evacuated through the hoses 43 and 44, the valve port 34 and ultimately the discharge port 35.

When the valve handle 32 is in the neutral position, the inlet 31 is closed, and both of the outlet ports 33 and 34 are connected to the discharge port 35, thereby permitting hand movement of the piston rods and pistons to enable a check as to freedom of operation or to permit them to be placed in the desired starting position. When the valve handle is in the closed position, the inlet 31 is connected to the outlet 34 and through the hoses 43 and 44 to the second end of the cylinders 21 and 22, permitting fluid under pressure to drive the pistons back to their starting position. Fluid from the first end of the cylinders 21 and 22 is exhausted through the hoses 40 and 41, and 38, the port 33 and ultimately the discharge port 35.

In the normal operation of apparatus, the protector 14, of Figure 3 is first stretched over the transfer sleeve of Figure 2 by any one of the many means known in the art. The transfer sleeve is then moved onto drill pipe in a position such as that illustrated in Figure 6.

The inlet and discharge ports of the force applying as sembly of Figure 1 are connected to a source of by? draulic fluid under pressure, and to a reservoir of hyif/l.

Thereupon the valve 30 is opened to activate the pis-.

tons 23 and piston rods 24 to push against the ring 12. The ring 12 pushes the protector 14 ofi the end of the sleeve 10 as illustrated in Figure 8. When the protector 14 is nearly off the sleeve, the force applying assembly is lifted off the sleeve 10, and the protector squeezes the remainder of the sleeve out, kicking the protector backward as illustrated in Figure 9.

Modifications may be made in this invention as herein particularly described without departure from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed as illustrative only and not as a limitation upon the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for handling elastic drill pipe protectors comprising a transfer sleeve adapted to have an elastic drill pipe protector stretched therearound and having an abutment at one end thereof; a ring encompassing said transfer sleeve and engageable with an annular end of a drill pipe protector on said sleeve, said ring being slidable on said sleeve but not slidable over said abutment; means for preventing said ring from sliding off the sleeve end which is opposite said abutment; a chassis including a yoke adapted to be slipped laterally over said sleeve and straddle said sleeve in loose contact therewith between said abutment and said ring and, adapted to extend from one side of said sleeve to the other, and adapted to engage said abutment whereby said yoke is precluded by said abutment from moving axially with respect to said sleeve past said abutment when said yoke is in the position astraddle said sleeve; at least two force applying means in the form of pressure-fluid cylinderpiston assemblies secured to said yoke in positions such that they are on opposite sides of said sleeve when said yoke is placed astraddle said sleeve; a valve with an inlet port adapted for connection via a flexible hose to a source of pressure fluid and with a discharge port connected to one end of each of said cylinders, whereby said valve may be opened to admit pressure fluid to said cylinders to urge said pistons to move to one end thereof; two piston rods, one secured to each of said pistons, adapted to push axially against said ring when said valve is open to admit pressure fluid to said cylinders as aforesaid; whereby said sleeve, encompassed by an elastic pipe protector, may be placed over pipe, and may have placed therearound said yoke with a pertinent force applying means, and said valve may be turned to admit pressure fluid under pressure to activate said pistons and piston rods to push against said ring and move it against said protector and thereby push said protector ofl said sleeve, all while permitting said sleeve to kick backward in a direction opposite the force exerted by said pistons and permitting instantaneous removal of said chassis and force applying means from said sleeve.

2. Apparatus for handling elastic drill pipe protectors comprising a transfer sleeve adapted to have an elastic drill pipe protector stretched therearound, said transfer sleeve also having a first abutment at one end thereof; said transfer sleeve having a second abutment at the other end thereof of sufiiciently small size as to ofi'erlno substantial impedance to the movement of an elastic drill pipe protector thereover, a ring encompassing said transfer sleeve and being slidable thereon between said abutments but not over either of said abutments; a chassis including a yoke adapted to he slipped laterally over said sleeve and straddle said sleeve and to extend from one side thereof to the other side thereof, said yoke being adapted to engage said second abutment whereby said yoke is precluded from moving axially with respect to said sleeve over said abutment when said yoke is in the position straddling said sleeve; two force applying means in the form of pressure-fluid cylinder-piston assemblies secured to said yoke in positions such that they are on substantially diametrically opposite sides of said sleeve when said yoke is placed astraddle said sleeve and such that the axis of each cylinder may be aligned substantially parallel with the axis of said pipe; a valve with at least one inlet port and two alternate discharge ports, said inlet port being adapted for connection via a flexible hose to a source of pressure-fluid, the first of said discharge ports being connected to one end of both of said cylinders and the other of said discharge ports being connected to the other end of both of said cylinders; two piston rods, one secured to each of said pistons, adapted to push against said ring when said pistons are urged in the direction toward said ring; whereby said sleeve, encompassed by an elastic drill pipe protector, may be placed over pipe, and may have placed therearound said yoke with a pertinent force applying means, and said valve may be turned to admit pressure fluid to activate said pistons and piston rods to push against said ring and move it against said protector and thereby push said protector off said sleeve, all while permitting said sleeve to kick backward in a direction opposite the force exerted by said pistons and permitting instantaneous removal of said chassis and force applying means from said sleeve.

3. Apparatus for placing elastic drill pipe protectors comprising a transfer sleeve adapted to have an elastic drill pipe protector stretched therearound, a ring slidable on said transfer sleeve and engageable with an annular end of a drill pipe protector on said sleeve, a first abutment on one end of said sleeve, a second abutment on the other end of said sleeve, said first and second abutments being adapted to limit sliding movement of said ring, said second abutment being of sufliciently small size to offer no substantial impedance to the movement of an elastic drill pipe protector thereover, an arcuate yoke adapted to he slipped laterally over said sleeve and straddle said sleeve between said first abutment and said ring, said first abutment being adapted to preclude axial movement of said yoke toward said one end of said sleeve, at least two pusher members, slidable axially on said yoke said pusher members being adapted to engage one annular side of said ring at widely spaced portions substantially within a sector thereof when said yoke is astraddle said sleeve, pressure fluid responsive means to force said pusher members against said annular side and slide said ring along said transfer sleeve to push a protector oft said sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 409,008 Breymann Aug. 13, 1889 2,263,778 Howard Nov. 25, 1941 2,291,976 Minor Aug. 4, 1942 2,328,771 Barnes et a1. Sept. 7, 1943 2,522,495 Ballagh Sept. 19, 1950 2,682,102 Stone et a1 June 29, 1954 2,693,633 Wood Nov. 9, 1954 

